Chapter 268: Chapter 266: Before Departure

That day, the children were eagerly following Wang Lianqi out the door, even the usually calm Hongling and Xiaoyu were full of joy.

Wang Lianqi hired a van, waiting at the courtyard gate.

The children carried their bags, hurriedly ran out to get in the car, then leaned out the car window to wave goodbye to the two couples, Wang Liansheng and Wang Lianfa.

Little Qi Bai was excitedly cheering on, waving his arms as he watched his older siblings running, but seeing them all get into the car, he became anxious and urged his dad holding him to get in the car too.

Wang Liansheng poked his little nephew’s chubby face and teased him with a smile, “You’re too young to go with them.”

His older brother Hong Liang complained, “You’re wetting the bed every day, of course, we’re not taking you!”

Qi Bai couldn’t quite grasp what his uncle said, but his brother’s words were too hurtful, making the little guy burst into tears.

In a flood of tears, he still kept his eyes on the siblings in the car, holding onto the last ray of hope.

But, as the car drove off and disappeared from sight, Qi Bai was left in despair, crying out loud with his arms stretched towards the departing car, “Brother, Sister…”

Wang Lianfa chuckled as he wiped his younger son’s tears, “Little rascal, you miss your brother and sister already.”

Little Qi Bai, being the smallest and least clever, wasn’t missing them, but rather angry: why could they all go out to have fun and not take him? They were all big meanies! Big meanies!

After sending the children away, Wang Lianfa and his wife quickly returned to their shop with little Qi Bai in tow.

Only Wang Liansheng and Ling Chengyan were left behind.

“You should go to work,” Ling Chengyan said.

But Wang Liansheng shook his head, “I took leave.”

Back home, Ling Chengyan looked at the suddenly empty house, silently went inside, grabbed her bag for heading out again, and said, “I’m going to the company.”

Wang Liansheng glanced at her and nodded.

Ling Chengyan had no personal luggage to pack, but as the company was deploying, going to the front line, there were many things that needed preparation, many matters needing attention.

Among them, all deploying soldiers had to write letters to their families. Two letters would be written, one sent home now, informing them of the mission. The other was a backup, left with the company, to be mailed home if they could not return.

This journey was unlike the previous deployment as an automotive soldier. Automotive soldiers, being transportation forces, stayed further back and were relatively safer.

While the Special Service Company, a sharp blade unit like this, was deployed to the most dangerous and challenging front-line positions, even to infiltrate enemy lines for reconnaissance, harassment, and possibly rescuing comrades and hostages frequently risking their lives.

As a member of the deployment team, Ling Chengyan naturally had to write a letter too.

She took out the note she had begun writing previously, held her pen thoughtfully for a moment, then continued writing —

This mission will be relatively long, at least half a year, everything at home is entrusted to you.

I have bought school clothes and supplies for Hongling, remember to give them to her. I prepared a bicycle voucher for her, which you buy when her grades come out as a celebration…

Next year, Xiaoyu will be in her third middle school year, preparing for either high school or technical school. She’s sensitive and meticulous, discuss with her. Although I hope she continues studies in high school then university, we should respect her wishes.

Xiao Xing and Shi Tou are still young and quite naughty, don’t always be lenient, discipline them when necessary…

Comrade Wang, thank you for your hard work; when I return, I will properly thank you.

The final signature reads: Ling Chengyan.

As for the other letter, Ling Chengyan simply wrote a few words —

Thank you very much for meeting you and the children; it’s a blessing to become family with you, and wishing you and the children all the best, happiness, and health.

Xu Dong was not part of this deployment, acting company leader Tang Guohui hadn’t arrived at the office, leaving the room quite empty with only him and Ling Chengyan.

Ling Chengyan was writing the letter, while Xu Dong remained silent.

At a moment like this, he didn’t know what to say, or how to say it. Anything said seemed redundant, none expressing his complex feelings properly.

Ling Chengyan placed aside the pen, with a calm face she folded the letter, and put it into an envelope.

At the doorway, two cardboard boxes were set, one with paste and stamps, for the letters being sent now; the other had nothing, intended for the letters only sent if something happened. At such a time, naturally, the company would stamp and send it on their behalf.

Ling Chengyan placed the backup letter in the box, and the remaining one into her own bag, “This one, I won’t need to send.”

When saying this, Ling Chengyan’s expression remained calm and composed as always, even with a slight smile at the corners.

Facing her, Xu Dong tightly pressed his lips, trying to speak, but his cheeks twitched first, failing to open his mouth.

“Come, while there’s time, I’ll discuss the upcoming training schedule with you…” Ling Chengyan still calmly called Xu Dong to talk about work arrangements.

Xu Dong looked at her with a sudden fierce stare, like he was about to bite.

Ling Chengyan smiled and patted his shoulder, returned to her chair to sit, and handed him the training plan, “This is the training schedule I made, use it as a reference.”

Xu Dong’s eyes were already red, with a slap on the table, he stood up, glaring at Ling Chengyan with eyes seemingly aflame.

Ling Chengyan’s smile faded somewhat but still calmly met his gaze, then Xu Dong suddenly dashed out, running from the office straight to the training field.

In the Special Service Company’s courtyard, training grounds, even the dining hall and dormitory, everything appeared normal, but the soldiers subtly sensed an indescribable oppression.

No one cried, no one acted out of line.

Except, the stern company commander exceptionally gave everyone a day off, no training.

Ling Chengyan, after handling things, left the company at the usual time, returned home.

Wang Liansheng had already prepared dinner, and even placed a bottle of wine on the table.

Ling Chengyan glanced over and laughed, “Is this my send-off?”

Wang Liansheng remained silent.

One after another, they all became mute. Seriously?

Ling Chengyan felt somewhat peeved, but quieted down, washed her hands, and sat by the table; she poured both of them a glass of wine, “You know the rules, it’s just this one glass, thank you! When I return victorious, we’ll drink to our heart’s content.”

Wang Liansheng still didn’t speak, only tilted his head back and downed his glass in one gulp.

Ling Chengyan handed him a bowl of broth, “It’s not good for your stomach to drink on an empty stomach, have some food.”

Saying this, she prepared to serve herself rice, but Wang Liansheng reached out and took over, ladling porridge into her bowl.

Chapter 267

With the bowl placed before her, Wang Liansheng finally spoke: “It’s not your first time up there, I don’t understand it, can’t help you; take care. Think a lot… think a lot about the children.”

He instinctively wanted to say to think a lot about himself, but as the words reached his mouth, he remembered how this woman had always… his words turned to ’the children’.

Although her personality changed, having enlisted and become an officer, with busy work, she never neglected the children. She truly cared about them.

Wang Liansheng suddenly felt a pang of sadness, cradling the rice bowl, he lowered his head and drank the soup.

The two silently finished dinner, packed up the dishes together, and without letting Ling Chengyan lift a finger, he went to scrub the pots and bowls clean.

Ling Chengyan quietly watched him from the side, softly said, “Later, I’ll go see Father.”

Wang Liansheng: “I’ll go with you.”

“Mm.” Ling Chengyan agreed, then continued, “Regarding the matter of the houses, feel free to visit Xu Dong, handle the proof, paperwork, and he’ll sort it out for you.”

Wang Liansheng agreed, and Ling Chengyan added, “If we get the house, have the eldest cousin help with the renovation; I won’t worry about the rest, but the plumbing and bathing need to be done like Father and second cousin’s place…”

Wang Liansheng replied softly, placed the washed dishes inside, wiped his hands, and came out holding a net bag, “Let’s go.”

Ling Chengyan glanced at it, inside the net bag were in-season peaches, plus nutrition powder and snacks for elderly people to eat.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep